Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Developer and current property owner Chris Houden showed a rendering of the proposed housing development --
a five story apartment building -- during an open forum on Tuesday, Aug. 22.(Photo: Submitted)

WAUWATOSA - A proposal to put up a five-story apartment building where a well-known log cabin now stands has some residents concerned.

The proposed housing project, which would include 49 apartment units, would be built on a lot now occupied by a log cabin that used to belong to former Erie Railroad president Frederick D. Underwood. The home was moved to the present site at 2515 N. Wauwatosa Ave. in 1955, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society website.

A crowd of residents packed the Firefly Room at the Wauwatosa Public Library Tuesday, Aug. 22 for an open forum to discuss a preliminary proposal to use the lot for the project.

Developer and current property owner Chris Houden discussed details of the plan, which calls for a building with 63,000 gross square feet, including the underground space.

Although Houden said it's uncertain when the proposal will go before the city's plan commission, he said he's hoping to have the project completed by May 2019.

Buy Photo

Residents gathered at the Wauwatosa Library during a public forum to discuss a proposed housing development at 2515 N. Wauwatosa Ave. on Tuesday, Aug 22.(Photo: Karen Pilarski/Now News Group)

Houden said the development would be just under 42,000 residential square feet. There would be 19 one-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedroom apartments and 18 studio apartments.

The target demographic is 25- to 35-year-olds. Houden mentioned targeting some transients from Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Houden said the forum was a preliminary meeting and hasn't made a formal submittal to the city. He opened the floor for people to ask questions and discuss their concerns.

"I looked in on certain developments that basically tried to push through without any consideration to your thoughts and ideas," Houden said.

He added he wanted to "do this thing right" by coming together and finding common ground, which he said was the goal.

Developer and current property owner Chris Houden showed a rendering of the housing development proposal. There would be 49 units, 19 one-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedroom apartments, and 18 studio apartments.(Photo: Submitted)

Community responds

One resident asked if there was any thought given to preserving the log cabin and constructing a similar type of building or buildings. The resident suggested the existing cabin could be used as a community center. Another suggested the cabin be moved to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle.

"The one issue with it is the log cabin takes up a considerable amount of the lot itself, unfortunately," Houden said.

Another resident then asked if the log cabin would be razed or moved. Houden explained the topic has been talked about and will be addressed.

Many commented on a big apartment complex not being a good fit with the Wauwatosa neighborhood.

"Why is this thing (proposed building) so big, why does it have to be five stories?" one resident said. "It is a monstrous building, it is not Wauwatosa."

Others mentioned the community being oversaturated with developments, which have caused parking and traffic issues.

Buy Photo

There’s a preliminary proposal to use the lot at 2515 N. Wauwatosa Ave., which contains the historic Frederick D. Underwood log cabin, for a housing development.(Photo: Karen Pilarski/Now News Group)

Alderman weighs in

Joel Tilleson is one of the aldermen for the district where the project is being considered. He commented via email regarding the preliminary proposal. He confirmed the developer hasn't filed anything with the city such as a formal proposal or PUD application, so there hasn't been anything to vote on or give a formal position on.

Tilleson explained the city as a whole has not weighed in on the project. He added the views of one or two council members alone (out of 16) don't express the city's official position.

"As with any development proposal, there are numerous considerations to balance, including the concerns of neighboring property owners and the citywide need to continuously pursue sensible redevelopment to minimize annual tax increases," Tilleson said. "At this early point, I'm hopeful others will join me in reserving judgment until the developer has a chance to fully explore all possible options for this site."